Ivy looked at the mess in front of her. The shock of what had just happened made her bones shake.

Marcus had regained consciousness and been arrested by station security. He sat with his hands bound and head down. He muttered under his breath, no doubt about getting revenge as soon as he got out of prison. She cared nothing for what he did, so long as it didn’t involve her.

Her attention turned to Karn. He was out cold. The laser blast wasn’t life threatening. It had been aimed at his shoulder. The force had slammed him to the ground and knocked him out.

Karn’s friend, Billy, also sat in the back of the station’s security ship, clearly unhappy from the sullen expression on his face. Ivy recognized him. She’d seen him hanging out with Karn on numerous occasions.

“I should have been able to fight them off,” Billy said to no one in particular.

Ivy studied him. It looked like he’d taken a beating before he’d let the security team get on the ship. His eye was puffy, and red marks covered his arm. “Karn won’t blame you for this.”

“Not to my face. I should have done better. I want to be just like him.”

Ivy smirked. “Nobody wants to be just like Karn. Not even Karn. What makes you think he’s so great?”

“He’s got skills. He’s the best spy, I mean intelligence gatherer, out there. Everybody wants to work with him.”

“I don’t see him being busy,” Ivy said.

“Everyone takes him seriously.”

“I don’t,” Ivy said.

“How can you not? You love him.”

Ivy’s eyebrows arched. “I only said that to make him realize something was wrong.”

“You don’t like him at all?”

“He’s not so terrible.” Ivy looked down at Karn. She was still amazed he’d come to save her. She hadn’t expected that. What he’d said as he’d pounded into Marcus like he wanted him dead, it all sounded so real.

How could it be? This day was anything but real. Ivy hadn’t expected Marcus to arrive, drug her, and then kidnap her. She was still stunned Karn had come to her rescue. It seemed too surreal.

“Karn’s great,” Billy said. “When everyone else ignored me or made fun of me, he stood up for me. He looks out for me.”

Ivy hadn’t expected to hear that, Karn looking out for anyone but himself. She nodded at Billy. “What happened to your arm?”

“I lost it in a mining accident.”

“Where were you working?” Billy couldn’t be out of his teens. What the hell was he doing slumming it down some toxic mine?

“I was on Tenkcet. I couldn’t get work on Earth, so I decided to try my luck elsewhere. There were plenty of jobs in the mines. The work was okay, nothing like the old coal mines on Earth. It was clean, and they looked after us. They even gave us free food.”

“What were you mining?”

“Disqus. It’s hard to find, even using scanners. When we discover a seam, it can run for miles. You always get a bonus when you find one. That was my problem. I got greedy. I was working late when everyone else was gone. I was tired. I’d pulled a double shift but was sure I was close to a new seam. I wanted the bonus to go traveling. The cutting equipment slipped.”

Ivy winced. “You did that to yourself?”

“I woke up in a huge pool of blood, with some pale-faced dude looking down at me and checking to see if I had a pulse.”

“They couldn’t save your arm?”

“It got too mangled in the machinery.” Billy shrugged. “I’m saving up to get a new arm. Karn said he’d help. He’s got most of his money tied up in his work.”

“Sure he has, if you consider work all the designer things he buys.”

“He will help me. I know he will.”

Ivy nodded. “Maybe he will.” This was a new side to Karn, a side she liked. He cared about another individual. She remembered how fondly he spoke of his brother. Karn was not as selfish as he made out he was.

She looked down at Karn. He didn’t seem in great shape. His skin kept changing color, going from white to blue. “Can someone take a look at Karn?”

The co-pilot turned in her seat. “He’s fine. We’ll get him treated when we’re back at the station.”

“You could at least untie him. He’s not doing any harm.”

“We ran his DNA. He’s wanted for more than a dozen crimes. Theft, escaping holding, breaking and entering, damaging private property, I could go on.”

“You don’t need to. I get he’s a big, bad criminal. He’s also an unconscious, injured criminal. He must be in pain.”

“He’s had something to numb the pain.”

“It’s nice to know you care,” Karn muttered.

Ivy dropped to her knees next to him. “I didn’t realize you were awake. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been punched too many times, and someone shot me with a laser.”

“What were you thinking coming after me?”

“That you might need help and that you’d never ask for it.”

“I would have made sure she was okay,” Marcus said.

“You be quiet.” Ivy jabbed a finger at Marcus. “You were going to sell me to the aliens.”

“I’d have sold you to a nice alien.”

“Idiot,” Ivy muttered. She turned her attention back to Karn. “You’re in a lot of trouble.”

“It was worth it to make sure you’re safe.”

Ivy’s heart did a strange flip-flop. “I’d have managed on my own. Maybe Marcus is right, and I’d have found myself a sweet alien at the auction.”

“You’d have been sold to a Banti, and he’d have eaten you.”

Ivy grimaced. “Maybe. That worried me.”

“You don’t have to worry. I’ve got your back. Even when you don’t want me to, I’ll always keep an eye out for you.”

“Why?” Ivy stroked damp hair from Karn’s forehead. “I’m horrible to you.”

“You have your moments of being truly terrible, but you can also be sweet and funny. When you let your guard down, I see the real Ivy. The Ivy who loves animals and secretly eats chips. The Ivy before she got messed up by that loser over there.”

“You’re the loser,” Marcus snapped.

“I’ve warned you,” Ivy said. “I’ll get the security team to shoot you if you keep talking.”

“We won’t do that,” the co-pilot said.

Ivy glared at Marcus. “Karn’s right. You messed me up.”

Marcus shrugged. “You did okay when we were together.”

“As did you. Spending too much and taking advantage of everything I had.”

“I’d never do that to you,” Karn said. “I know you don’t take me seriously, but I can change. I’m already changing, thanks to you.”

“What if I don’t want you to change? I might like you as you are.”

“Ripping people off and taking dodgy jobs because they pay well?”

“He sounds perfect for you,” Marcus said.

“Billy, strangle him for me,” Ivy said.

Billy glared at Marcus. “If I wasn’t restrained, I would.”

Ivy stroked Karn’s cheek. “When you’re not playing the part of some super villain, you’re not so bad.”

“I don’t play a part. That’s who I am.”

Ivy sat back on her heels. Her gaze lingered on Marcus. He’d said the same sort of thing. He’d promised to change, get a reliable job, and act responsibly. Would Karn be the same?

Karn rocked closer to Ivy and nudged her leg. “I get it. That guy’s a jerk. He messed you around. I won’t do that.”

“You might think you won’t. What’s to say you don’t default to your usual behavior? Marcus used to do it to me.”

“I am nothing like Marcus. For one, I’d never sell you to another alien. Well, I would, but only if you’re really mean to me.”

Marcus snorted.

Ivy glared at him. “You seem not to have received the message to keep your mouth shut.”

“You should stay away from the criminal,” the co-pilot said. “Karn is dangerous. It’s not good to be around him.”

“He’s not dangerous,” Ivy said. “He likes to think he is. Karn puts on a really good act, just like we all do.”

“You’re blowing my cover,” Karn said. “Everyone needs to know I’m big, bad, and dangerous. Otherwise, they’ll come looking for me.”

“You can’t give up being a spy,” Billy said. “You need to train me. I’m your apprentice.”

“You’ll get your training, kid,” Karn said, “maybe in a more noble profession.”

“If you’re giving up the spy business, what will you do?” Billy asked.

“Something that makes my woman happy, if that’s okay with her.” Karn smiled up at Ivy. “I liked what you said.”

Ivy’s pulse quickened. “What did I say?”

“That you’re into me. That you might even love me.”

Marcus shifted in his seat and muttered under his breath again.

Ivy bit the inside of her mouth. She didn’t want to get things wrong this time. “I’m not sure I do.”

Karn’s face sagged. “I know. I figured you said those things, so I knew something was wrong when Marcus took you.”

“Wait. I mean, I like you. I like the fact you can see there’s more to me than designer boots and attitude.”

Karn was quiet for a moment.

Ivy simply stared at him. They were both putting on an act, keeping up a barrier to avoid getting hurt. Someone had to let the barrier drop. She opened her mouth. Nothing came out. Her eyes shut against the growing hotness. She wanted to change, but what if it all went wrong?

“Maybe we can see if My Single Alien was right in matching us. It could be fun,” Karn said.

Ivy opened her eyes and smiled down at Karn. He was letting her in. Underneath his superspy veneer, she had a feeling Karn was a big softy. They’d need to work on his honesty, but Ivy had a few things that were overdue changing about herself. They could change together.

Karn’s gaze went to her stomach. “We have a lot to talk about.”

Ivy’s cheeks flushed. “I know. Even if things don’t work out between us, we’ll have to keep seeing each other. We need to keep things civil.”

“What are you talking about?” Marcus growled.

“Ivy’s having Karn’s baby,” Billy said.

Marcus’s jaw dropped. “What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have gotten double the money for you at the alien auction if they knew you came with a kid. Aliens go crazy for human babies.”

Billy launched himself from his seat and head-butted Marcus.

Ivy kept a hand clamped on Karn, who struggled to join in the attack, despite being injured and restrained.

“Break it up.” The co-pilot jumped from her seat and yanked Billy off Marcus.

Marcus’s nose streamed with blood. “I’ll kill you for that.”

“Bring it on. No one sells Ivy, not even Karn.”

Ivy laughed. “You tell him, Billy.”

Karn’s glare softened as he looked away from Marcus and back at her. “I’ll never hurt you. Trust me. We can make this work. I want you in my life. I need you by my side.”

“We’re docking in five minutes,” the co-pilot said. “Behave yourselves until we’ve landed, or you’re all going in the cells for a week with no outside communications.”

Billy and Marcus both nodded as they continued to glare at each other.

“What do you reckon, Ivy Blain? Shall we give this love thing a go?” Karn asked.

Ivy leaned down and kissed his lips. “If you mess me around, I’ll slice your balls off and wear them as earrings.”

Karn sputtered a laugh. “I thought you might say something like that. That’s a look I hope you never get to wear.”

“You two make me sick,” Marcus muttered. His voice sounded thick through his swollen nose.

“Shut up,” Billy, Karn, and Ivy said at the same time.

As the ship docked at Prodigy, some of Ivy’s happiness faded. They would have to answer for what they’d done.

The docking ramp slid down. Ivy glanced out and grimaced. Diadora waited at the bottom of the ramp.

The station security team escorted Marcus out. One guard assisted Karn while keeping Billy in front of him.

“Don’t miss me too much.” Karn winked at Ivy as he was taken away.

She wanted to go with him, but Diadora stood in her way, her arms folded. “Hold that prisoner.” She pointed to Karn.

The security team exchanged a glance. Everyone knew Diadora’s scary reputation.

“He needs treatment,” the foolishly brave female co-pilot said.

“I don’t see any injuries that he’ll die of in the next half an hour. This alien has interfered with My Single Alien. I require answers.”

“Five minutes won’t hurt.” The security team took a step back.

“Alone,” Diadora said. “This is confidential. If he causes trouble, I have the means to restrain him.” She removed her glove to show her metallic fingers.

The guards nodded, both glancing at Diadora’s cybernetic arm. “We’ll take the others to holding.”

“Ivy and the one-armed boy remain as well. I don’t care what you do to the human.” Diadora arched an eyebrow. “They will not escape.”

“We’ll post security by the door.” The female co-pilot nodded before hurrying away with Marcus in tow.

Ivy hoped Marcus would go away for a long time. He deserved it. Maybe time behind bars would give him an opportunity to think about what an idiot he’d been. She doubted he’d learned his lesson, though. The moment he got out, he’d be looking for somebody else to target.

“You have cybernetics?” Billy stepped into Diadora’s personal space and grabbed her hand.

Ivy sucked in a breath. No one ever got close to Diadora if they valued having air in their lungs.

Diadora’s eyes narrowed, but she let Billy examine her arm. “That’s right.”

“That’s amazing. Does it hurt?”

“No, it’s fused with my nerves and muscles. It feels like a normal arm.”

Billy looked down. “I’d love one like this.”

Diadora eased her arm away from Billy and shooed him away. “I can recommend it.”

He stepped back. “It suits you. It makes you look a hell of a scary. You know, like you’re the boss man. No, boss woman. No! Boss cyborg. You’re the lady with a plan.”

Diadora’s eyebrows quirked up. “Thank you. You’ve been on quite an adventure.” Her gaze went from Ivy to Karn.

“I wasn’t running,” Ivy said.

“I know. I ran a background check on your ex-boyfriend. You do know how to pick them.”

Ivy scowled. “He was going to sell me at an auction.”

“I also know that.”

“Which is where I come in,” Karn said. “I rescued Ivy.”

“That’s not strictly true,” Diadora said. “My study of the flight departures show you weren’t heading in the same direction as Ivy.”

Ivy turned to Karn. “Where were you going?”

Karn twisted his mouth to the side. “I needed a break from the station.”

“A break from me?”

“I thought you were getting back with that idiot human. I saw him go to your quarters, and you let him in. You even hugged him like he was your long-lost pet.”

Ivy thumped Karn in the arm. “Marcus surprised me. The last person I expected to find here was him. When I opened the door, he grabbed me before I had a chance to think. I don’t want him here. I left him back on Earth for a good reason.”

Karn lowered his head. “I figured you didn’t want me. There was nothing else keeping me here and plenty of reasons to go.”

Ivy shook her head. “You’re such an idiot.”

“Be that as it may, this idiot did rescue an employee of mine,” Diadora said.

“I helped,” Billy said. “I’m a rescuing idiot, too.”

Diadora nodded. “Agreed. You are also an idiot.”

Ivy turned to Diadora. “I still have a job? I figured you’d want me out since the whole mess up with the database.”

“That was all my fault,” Karn said. “I was the one who broke into the office and messed with your database. Ivy found me.”

“Go on,” Diadora said.

Karn glanced at Ivy. “I distracted her from seeing what I was doing. She’s smart. She figured it out.”

“And then?”

“Ivy got angry as hell when she realized what I was doing.”

“So angry she had you arrested,” Diadora said.

“Yes. Actually, I still haven’t forgiven you for that.” Karn frowned at Ivy.

“Get over it,” Ivy said. “I’m not apologizing. Nobody messes with My Single Alien.”

“Which is why I’m keeping you on the team,” Diadora said. “You don’t take terrible photos, and the Council likes your work.”

Ivy let out a sigh of relief. “What about Karn?”

Diadora smirked. “What about him?”

“He saved me. Doesn’t that give him a get out of jail free card? He didn’t need to help me. As you said, he was leaving the station and never coming back. Instead, he saved me, got himself shot and arrested, and is now facing off with you.”

Diadora shook her head. “Your new friend is going away for a long time. My advice, only an idiot would want anything to do with him.”

Ivy stared at Karn. Then she must be an idiot. She wasn’t giving up on him. She could be looking at her perfect alien match, and that needed investigating.

Her hand went to her stomach. She was not finished with Karn. In fact, Ivy was just getting started.